Multihydraulic power device



Oct. 8, 1929.

QQ/ElE/g J. J. OBRIEN Filed May 8, 1928 Nu I Ii MULTIHYDRAULIC POWER DEVICE JEI 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I C; a (90 my J. J. o BRIEN 1,730,862

MULTIHYDHAULIG POWER DEVICE Oct. 8, 1929.

' Filed May 8, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ilwuemtoz Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN J. OBRIEN, OF WEST HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, OF ONE-HALF T CALVIN C. ROBINSON, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT MULTIHYDRAULIG POWER DEVICE Application filed May 8,

This invention relates to a hydraulic power device for utilizing great forces in moving heavy objects, and particularly for handling caissons, such as are used for building bridge pier foundations and the like, although,,oicourse, it is not limited to use for this purpose.

It has for an object to provide a device of this character in which the immense pulling force required may be secured in a way that can be used in the most effective manner for performing the work desired. As an illustration 01 the use of the device I have shown it in the drawingsas applied for straightening up, that is to bring to a vertical position, a

large caisson which has become tilted in lowering it on the job. In the particular case shown the caisson was a large one that became tipped while being lowered in water and mud preparatory to building a large bridgepier. The caisson was a very valuable one and as it was very large and of great weight great difi'iculty has been experienced in trying to straighten it and bring it'baclr to the vertical position, as great forces were required to do this and the hitherto known methods oi? applying them were insufficient to bring the caisson back to the proper position.

With the foregoing and other objects in 'riew, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings. In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is transverse section of a portion of a river and a caisson in tipped position in the mud at the bottom of the water, and showing the i'nethod of applying and operatin my improved hydraulic power device for the purpose of straightening the caisson.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof on a some what larger scale.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view'ot the hydraulic power device with parts in section.

1928. Serial 110,276,075.

Fig. 4c is an end view thereof looking from the left of Fig. 3 with parts in section.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation looking toward the botltom of Fig. 3 and on a somewhat smaller sea e.

Fig. 6 is a detail of the connection between the links of thechain.

, Fig. 7 is a side elevation of one of the chains.

In straightening the particular caisson illustrated, the caisson 9 in question was a very large one being approximately 147 feet long, feet wide and feet high which became tipped to about the position illustrated in Fig. 1 as it was being lowered. In straightening this caisson chains 10 are run from a stationary anchorage 11 in the solid rock on the opposite shore, and each chain indicated at 10 is run from thisanchorage over a suitable support 12 and then to the proper element of my improved power device illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5. This power device is indicated as a whole by the letter (P) and is over lighter or other similar boat 13. Chains 14 are extended in the opposite direction from this power device (P) and are connected to the caisson. The chains are very powerful ones preferably comprising a plurality of flat links 15, the chain 10 being approximately 4 feet wide and 2 feet high and the links being of considerable length, the alternate links being extended in opposite directions and the pivot pins 16 extending transversely through the adjacent ends of the links. The chains 14: in the specific embodiment shown are each substantially one-half the size of the chain 10,

that is, about two feet wide instead of four.

by two or more short chains connected to the single chain and running to the abutment structure, or if the two chains 14 in the drawing were connected togetl or they would be in effect a single connection from the abutment structure.

The chains 14 extend from the power device P) and are connected to the caisson substantially in the manner illustrated. In making this connection bars 17 are extended transversely across the caisson at the top thereof and the chains 1 1 are extended across the caisson at the lower end thereof, either through transverse openings adjacent the lower end of the caisson or around outside this lower end as is preferred, and then these chains pass up the rear or top side of the caisson and are connected to the bars 1?. This arrangement is used so that the heavy pull on the chains will not rupture the caisson and will have more or less the effect of a rolling hitch and will, therefore, apply the forces to the caisson in the most effective manner to bring it to the upright position without injury to the caisson. The drawings, of course, are somewhat diagrammatic, there being no attempt made to show the details of construction of a caisson, theanchorage and the like. On the drawing, 1 have shown two sets of these chains applied to the caisson but it will be understood a greater or less number may be used to meet the requirements of any particular job.

The principle of the hydraulic power de vice is shown more clearly in Figs. 3 to 5, although these figures are also somewhat diagrammatic and'do not show all the details of construction and no attempt has been made to. show the proper relative proportions and sizes of beams and other structures to give'the strength required for the great forces involved. The device as shown comprises a pair of annular frames 18 and 19 which may be made of brass, steel or other suitable material, or they may be builtup of suitable steel structural shapes to give the required strength and stiffness. As shown they are substantially f-beam shape in cross section and have their peripheral flanges connected by cross strengthening ribs 20, and mounted between the two frames are a plurality of hydraulic jacks 21, of any suitable design and having plungers 21. A convenient manner of mounting these jacks is to place them in the spaces formed between the cross ribs 20, and the frames are made of sufficient size to carry enough jacks to give the power required. It will be understood that as liquid pressure is applied to the jacks the plungers thereof will be forced outwardly to the right as viewed in Fig. 3 and will carry the frame 18 away from the frame 19. Secured on the outer facesof he frames are suitable vl'uSS beams. The frame 18 carries cross beams 22, spaced a suitable distance apart to permit the chains 10 and 1 1 to pass between them. These beams are shown of heavy I-beam construction although they may be of built up girder construction if preferred. The frame 19 carries similar cross beams 23 on the opposite side of this frame from the frame 18. These beams also carry upright cross beams 2 t forming abutments for a pin 25 passing through the links of the chain 10. This chain as will be obvious, extends from the stationary anchorage 11, passes through the opening in the frame 18 and then through the frame 19 to the rear side thereof. This makes a stationary connection between the frame 19 and the chain 10, and therefore, a stationary anchorage. he chain 10, therefore, really forms a stationary support for the abutment structure 19, 23.

It will be noted the beams 22 and 23 are extended outwardly beyond the peripheries of the frames 18 and 19, and that the two chains 14 are separated sufficiently so that each of them is passed through between these beams, one on one side of the frame 8 and 19 and of the chain 10, while the her chain passes between them on the 'ametrically opposite side of these frames -d the chain 10. On the side of the beams toward the stationary anchorage these as carry a pair of upright cross beams arranged on opposite sides of the chains and forming abutments for cross pins extending through these chains. The beams 23 carry similar cross beams 28 arranged on opposite sides of the chains M and form abutments for holding pins 29 extending through the links of the chain, and these abutments are arranged on opposite sides of beams 23 from the abutments 24. The links of the chains 1% are provided with a series of transverse openings 30 for the pins 27 and 29 as will presently be described, these openings 30 being spaced from each other longitudinally of the chains, a distance approximately equal to the throw of the jacks.

It will, of course, be understood that in operation this power device is located over the l hter or boat 13 and that suitable hydrauli pumps 32, and appurtenances thereto, not shown, are carried on this lighter for operating the jacks.

The operation is as follows: The chains 10 and 14 are connected to the abutment structures at opposite ends of the jacks as shown in Fig. 3W111 the plungers are retracted or in their neutral position. By abutment structures, I mean the structure involving the frame 18, beams 22 and 26, as being one abutment structure, and the other abutment structure involving the frame 19, beams 23 and cross beams or abutments 24 and 28. Now with the plungers retracted as in- Fig.

3 and chain 10 connected to the left hand abutment structure involving the frame 19,

then be exhausted.

the chains 14 are connected to the right hand abutment structure involving the frame 18 by the pins 27 inserted transversely through the links of the chain and resting against the abutments 26. If preferred to secure a better bearing on these abutment-s, cradles 31 may be provided to increase the bearing surface for the pins and do away with a line bearing. Now if liquid is pumped into the jacks they will function and will force he frame 18 and the beams 22 and 26 to the right as viewed in Fig. 3 and will, therefore, draw the chains 14 to the right until another opening 30 is brought to the right hand side of the abutments 28 carried by the frame 19. Then pins 29 are inserted through this opening and the jacks may During the exhausting of the jacks, however, the chains 14. cannot move back or to the left because they will be held by the pins 29. The abutment structure 18 is, therefore. broughtback to the full line position of Fig. 8 while the chains let are held stationary, and then the pins 27 can be inserted in the next opening 30 which will now lie in front of the abutments 26. The jacks can now again be functioned forcing the abutment structure 18 and the associated parts to the right and drawing with it the chains 14 the same as in the first operation. It will, therefore, be apparent that the chains 14 are drawn up step by step and that after each functioning of the iaclts these chains 14 are held by the pins 29 against the abutments 28 and the left hand frame 19 while the jacks are being exhausted, and they are drawn up by functioning of the jacks through the pins 27 engaging the abutments 26 carried by the frame 18.

It will beapparent from the foregoing descripti on that an immense pull can be placed on the frames as the number of .jacks may be practically any number desired depending on the weight of the structure to be displaced.

Although I have shown the device as applied to pulling on an object it may be used for lifting a caisson. or other structures such as a submarine vertically after, of course, it is mounted on suitable supports, and it may also be used as a means for lowering the caisson in position.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a device of the character described,

a plurality of iacks. a pair of abutment structures arranged with the jacks between them so that expanding of the jacks will separate the structures, one of said structures being open at the center. a connection from an anchorage passing through said opening and connected to the opposite structure, and connections from the object to be moved connected to the other structure and extending ina direction therefrom opposite to that of the first connection.

2. In a device of the character described, a

chain extending from an anchorage to the abutment structure on the opposite side thereof from the jacks, chains extending in the opposite direction from the other abutment structure to the object to be moved, and cooperating means on the first abutment structure and the second chains to at intervals connect the second chains to said abutment structure and hold the chains while the jacks are being exhausted and the second structure again connected to said chains.

4. In a device of the character described, a pair of abutment structures adapted to be placed between an anchorage and an object to be moved, a plurality of jacks between said structures adapted to force them apart on expansion of the jacks, a chain extending from the anchorage to the structure on the opposite side of the jacks from said anchorage, spaced abutments on said structure on opposite sides of the chain, a pin extending transversely through the chain and resting against said abutments, a pair of chains extending from the object to be moved to the other abutment structure, spaced abutments on said structure on the opposite sides of the chains, and pins extending transversely through the chains and resting against said abutments.

5. In a device of the character described, a pair of abutment structures adapted to be placed between an anchorage and an object to be moved, a plurality of jacks between said structures adapted to force them apart on expansion of the acks, a chain extending from the anchorage and connected to the abutment structure on the opposite side of the jacks from said anchorage, a pair of chains extending from the object to be moved to the other abutment structure, spaced abutments on both of said abutment structures on opposite sides of said latter chains, said latter chains being provided with transverse openings, and pins to be inserted through said openings and rest against said abutments to hold the chains.

6. In a device of the character described, a pair of substantially annular frames, a plurality of lifting jacks mounted between said frames and adapted to force them apart, a chain extending from an anchorage through one of said frames to the other, meansfor attaching said chain to said latter frame, a pair of chains extending from the object to be moved to the first frame on opposite sides of the first chain, abutments carried by both said frames on opposite sides of said second mentioned chains, said latter chains being provided with a series of longitudinally spaced openings and pins to extend through said openings and engage said abutments to secure the chains to said frames.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN J. OBRIEN. 

